WHL Tri-City Americans

Everett Makes Playoff Push with 4-1 Win Over Americans

Published on March 4, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


EVERETT, WA - The WHL schedule may have the 2012 Playoffs starting in three weeks, but don't tell that to the Silvertips, who have been in a fight for their playoff lives the past month.

Backed by a 30-save effort from Kent Simpson, Joshua Winquist netted the game-winner as part of a 3-goal 2nd period, and the Everett Silvertips (19-37-1-8, 47 pts) downed the visiting Tri-City Americans (45-17-1-2, 93 pts) 4-1 in front of 6,755 fans at Comcast Arena. With the win, the 'Tips won their second straight game and moved three points clear of 9th-place Seattle for that final playoff bid. The win also snapped Everett's 5-game losing streak to Tri-City. Meanwhile, the Americans failed to keep pace with Portland, who beat Seattle at home, and fell three points back of the top spot with 7 games remaining.

On Saturday, Everett wasted little time in staking an early lead. Just 5:48 into the contest, and only 22 seconds into their first power play, Reid Petryk wound up uncovered in the left circle and fired a shot past Eric Comrie for his 16th goal of the season.

Two minutes later, though, Tri-City responded. From the corner, Patrick Holland fed the puck out to Derek Ryckman. From the point, Ryckman let a shot go on Simpson, who was unable to control the rebound. Brendan Shinnimin, parked in front, was then stuffed on his first attempt, but beat Simpson with a second effort, notching his 53rd goal of the season and tying the game at 1.

The game remained tied until the first minute of the 2nd period, when Everett retook the lead for good. Playing with an extra attacker due to a delayed Tri-City penalty, Winquist was able to bust around the Americans' defense and slide a backhander past Comrie at the far post.

Then, despite having a Kohl Bauml goal waived off due to an early whistle, the Silvertips tacked on two more goals late in the period to pull away. With 1:33 left in the 2nd, Josh Birkholz took a tape-to-tape pass from Winquist and then worked his way around Michal Plutnar, skating in all alone on Comrie. Birkholz eventually put a backhander in at the near post, making it a 3-1 game. Finally, with 16 seconds left in the period, Manraj Hayer wound up uncovered in the slot. Hayer took a pass from Ryan Harrison and beat Comrie with his 2nd goal of the season to cap the scoring in the contest.

The Americans got few chances on Simpson in the final period, to eventually have their 3-game road winning streak halted. Simpson, who stopped 30 of 31, picked up his third win in his last four starts. Meanwhile, Comrie finished the game with 27 saves on 31 shots to snap his 3-game winning streak. Tri-City finished the night 0-for-4 on the power play, while Everett went 1-of-3 on the man-advantage.

The Americans will now travel south to the Rose City tomorrow, March 4th, for a highly anticipated rematch with the Portland Winterhawks (46-15-3-1). Game time is 5:00 p.m. at the Rose Garden. It's the final game of the 10-game season series between the two division rivals, with Tri-City holding a 5-4 lead in the series. After Tri-City won the first five meetings this season, Portland has responded to take the previous four. The 'Hawks enter Sunday having won three straight games and 12 of their last 13. Meanwhile, Tri-City is 6-0 this season when suffering back-to-back losses. Fans can catch all the action live, via WHL Live, at Kimo's, the Americans' home away from home, starting at 5:00 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 4:45 p.m.

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